Severe Weather

Former McLoud Teacher Moved To Different Jail

A former McLoud teacher made her first appearance in court on Friday after investigators said they found nude pictures of children at her home.

Prosecutors also said Kimberly Crain took lewd pictures of students.

The judge found probable cause to detain her and hold her on bond.

The judge then ordered Crain to be moved to the Lincoln County jail.

Crain was an inmate at the Pottawatomie County Safety Center. Prosecutors said a jailer is the family member of one of the children involved in the case and they received information that Crain tried to talk to the jailer about not going forward with the charges.

Crain's next court date will be Dec. 9.

Eyewitness News 5 was there as officers arrested Crain at her Shawnee home and took her to jail on Thursday.

Police say a search of Crain?s home produced enough evidence for her to be arrested.

Investigators found deleted images on her cellphone and a computer.

Some of the pictures included sexually suggestive poses.

Police also found nude photos of children.

McLoud parent Michelle Huff said, ?I am shocked it took that much for the FBI to get involved before anything got done about this particular teacher.?

Crain has a bachelor?s degree in PE/health from Oklahoma Baptist University.

Crain has been employed at McLoud Elementary since 2006. There has been no previous disciplinary action against her.

Crain did not have a background check. She was certified before that became mandatory.

On Wednesday, parents of six children filed a civil suit against Crain, who resigned this week amid allegations she made students dress in bras and panties, and took pictures of them.

"They had their trust shattered in a teacher I think they really did like," said attorney Joe Vorndran, who is representing parents of the young girls.

The families filed a civil suit against Crain and her husband, Ricky, in Pottowatomie County.

No criminal charges have been filed against Crain, but Shawnee police said an investigation is ongoing and the FBI is now assisting.

The investigation began after parents told police Crain held a pizza party at her Shawnee home on Nov. 11. According to court documents, one young girl told detectives Crain provided them with holiday-themed underwear, stating "Crain had all the girls go into the bedroom, one by one, and change into the bras and panties."

According to an affidavit, the children said Crain took pictures and videotaped the girls dancing in the underwear.

The court documents also state a third-grade girl and her parents approached McLoud police, telling detectives "Crain has all the kids in her class Skype over the computer with an older man wearing glasses named 'Uncle G.'" The child also told police Crain took multiple pictures of girls posing on the desk and chairs using her personal cellphone.

Detectives filed a search warrant to seize any computers, cellphones and recording devices from Crain's home. The FBI said it is now in the process of analyzing that data to determine if any child pornography crimes were committed.

Parents involved in the civil suit are worried more disturbing behavior linked to Crain will unfold.

"A lot of these kids were afraid to talk, and now it's come out more, and they are talking. I think we'll continue to see that for a period of time," said Vorndran. "You trust teachers to take care of your kids. You shouldn't have to send them to school and have this happen. It's alarming."

McLoud Public Schools placed Crain on paid administrative leave, but she resigned on Monday.

Copyright 2002 by ChannelOklahoma.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.